Housing Solutions to Support Economic Growth
On September 14, 2026, the United States Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2026 Building for Growth Housing Summit in Washington, DC. We were fortunate to attend and learn about the innovative ways that the public and private sectors are working together to address housing and workforce shortages and other infrastructure challenges in communities. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the summit took place shortly after the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act becoming a law.
One of the main themes at the Building for Growth Housing Summit was that housing is not a standalone issue. Rather, housing shortages and affordability challenges are business and economic issues. Housing is a part of critical infrastructure that either supports or limits workforce growth and business investments in local communities. Together, these factors impact the long-term economic competitiveness of cities and towns, states, and the nation as a whole.
Why is affordable housing a critical business issue? Simply put, if current and prospective employees cannot find housing within a reasonable commute to their workplace, they are less likely to accept or continue their employment. We heard from state officials who spoke about statewide housing shortages in the tens of thousands and from business leaders who shared challenges with recruitment and retention.
Many leaders at the Building for Growth Housing Summit emphasized the importance of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and its potential for transformative housing policy. As described by Bipartisan Policy Center, “this comprehensive bipartisan package touches nearly every dimension of housing policy – housing supply, manufactured and rural housing, homeownership access, program reform, veterans housing, oversight and accountability, and community banking.”
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes provisions from more than 60 pieces of legislation. Initiatives will require ongoing funding, and it will take time to develop all the regulations for implementation. This sentiment was shared among leaders at the conference, alongside hope for and commitment to achievable housing solutions in the near future.
At the conference, we heard interesting new ideas, such as “service enriched housing,” which combines affordable housing with supportive services like employment assistance, financial coaching, health services, and other resources to support long-term stability. Panelists and speakers also highlighted financing strategies, manufactured housing provisions, and zoning reform, among many priorities to help increase the supply of affordable housing.
If you’re interested in hearing from the experts and panelists that presented at the Building for Growth Housing Summit, we encourage you to view the highlights. And, consider keeping an eye on Bipartisan Policy Center’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Implementation Tracker to see what comes next.
The idea that workforce is a business and economic issue is one that resonates with us and aligns with Foundations for Families’ position that child care is a critical component of local infrastructure. When families lack access to affordable housing or reliable child care, workforce challenges persist. This can have business impacts and limit economic growth. With affordable, long-term solutions in place, employees, families, businesses, and local communities can thrive.
We encourage you to explore Foundations for Families’ Consulting Services. If you’re interested in learning how we can support your agency to understand community needs and identify solutions to address them, please be in touch. Our team of consultants will work with your organization to determine a process, timeline, and approach that is the best fit for your needs.
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